Mallard Creek BBQ retires after 93 years serving generations at celebrated event
The “Grandaddy of Barbecues” is no more.
Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church on Wednesday announced the end of its annual barbecue after 93 years, a tradition that drew political leaders of every stripe to mingle with thousands of constituents enjoying the famous pork barbecue and Brunswick stew.
The barbecue simply ran out of people to run it, organizers said.
“Generational leadership of the four main components of the BBQ has stepped aside, and our process simply can’t sustain the voids,” organizers said on social media.
“Everything seems to have a life cycle and for the Mallard Creek BBQ, that life cycle is 93-years.”
Roots in the Great Depression
The barbecue was a Charlotte tradition since 1929.
The church was under construction building Sunday school rooms when the nation fell into the Great Depression, according to the church.
The deacons hosted a barbecue to raise money to pay the contractor. After expenses, they generated $89.50 — enough to pay off the debt, with a small amount left over.
In the 1940s, church families still raised and donated hogs for the event.
“Each year, piglets were purchased and placed with a family to be fattened up for the big day,” according to a church history of the event.
A barbecue committee plowed some of the previous year’s proceeds into providing pigs for the next year, and corn for their feed and for the hogs’ vaccinations.
“On the day before the barbecue, the men went around to the various farms to collect the hogs,” according to the history. “They were taken to the home of Mr. H.Y. Galloway to be killed and dressed out.”
Crowds took in “that special smell”
The hogs were then cooked through the night at “the community house.”
Long ditches were dug from the ticket stand to near woods. Racks were placed on the dirt banks, and hickory coals were placed underneath to slow cook the pigs.
“The aroma was so strong that people from miles around came to watch and take in that special smell only barbecue has,” church leaders said in the history.
“That smell has had the same effect on people ever since, as they often stop by to see what is going on at the community house on the cook days,” leaders said.
The event became a campaign stop for generations of local, state and national candidates.
Future Vice President Dan Quayle visited the event, as did U.S. senators including Democrat John Edwards and Republican Lauch Faircloth. Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory stopped by during his successful run for governor.
Proceeds benefited the church’s efforts to help people locally and across the world.
Organizers thanked “the countless thousands of neighbors who have visited the BBQ over the years for good food, fellowship, homecomings of sorts, and contributions to missions to continue to move our Lord’s work ahead.”
“Steeped in history and longtime traditions, it’s with heavy hearts to step away,” organizers said.
This story was originally published October 1, 2025 at 9:56 AM.